Friday, January 28, 2011

thoughts on the news of the day: Challenger

hmmm…..
            Today is the 25th anniversary of the Challenger disaster which took the lives of 7 astronauts including Christa McAuliffe, a teacher and mother chosen to fly the mission.  I remember the day, as most of us do, watching the rocket go down in smoke, moments after takeoff. 
            Time flies, doesn’t it?  My daughter was about two years old, Ronald Regan was president and I was a single mom.  It was unusual for me not to be working; I have worked since I was a preteen when babysitting was my mode of income.  But in 1986, my sales job disintegrated before my eyes and I had the opportunity to stay at home for a while, thanks to unemployment pay, child support and the generosity of my folks. 
            I can’t say that what I was doing at the time was as meaningful or ambitious as flying into space, but being a full time mom to a precious toddler had its rewards.  Nowadays, it’s nearly impossible to be a stay at home Mom.  Even in two income families, economics usually just doesn’t allow that luxury.  I know I was fortunate and so was my daughter.
            I see moms today, trying to juggle jobs, children and housework – nothing new about that really, it’s been going on for years.  Whether they are day long luxuries or a moment or two before bed each night, I pray that moms can rise to the Challenge and cherish the moments they have with their kids.  Tragically for some, it’s sad to say, those moments go down in smoke.
            hmmm…..
             

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